KAI North Sumatra Urges Public to Stay Away from Railway Tracks

PT Kereta Api Indonesia (KAI) Divre I Sumatera Utara has urged the public to refrain from any activity on railway tracks. The firm stance is taken to protect lives and prevent fatalities in railway areas.

Manager of Public Relations for Divre I Sumatera Utara, Anwar Yuli Prastyo, stated that railway tracks are a restricted area for the general public. The phenomenon of residents using the area around the tracks to gather, relax, or play is a reckless act that disregards personal safety.

“The public must understand that trains cannot stop suddenly. With their heavy weight and long carriages, trains require a significant braking distance to come to a complete stop. Being on the tracks is tantamount to gambling with one’s life,” Anwar said on Wednesday (24/6).

This firm appeal responds to the persistently high number of incidents involving the public on railway tracks. Data shows that over the last three years, at least 114 cases of individuals being struck by trains have occurred. Of these incidents, 64 percent, or 73 cases, resulted in the victim’s death, while 27 percent, or 31 people, suffered serious injuries, with the remainder sustaining minor injuries or not being found.

“Specifically for 2026, up to the end of the first semester, there have been 21 incidents, of which 19 resulted in death, one in serious injury, and one victim was not found,” Anwar added.

KAI reminds the public that violating this rule falls under criminal law. According to Law Number 23 of 2007 on Railways, Article 181 paragraph (1), every person is prohibited from being in the railway track utility space, placing objects on the tracks, or using them for other purposes. Violators face criminal sanctions ranging from fines to imprisonment.

Coinciding with the ongoing school holiday period, KAI is asking the public, especially parents, to protect their children by not allowing them to play near the tracks. Additionally, residents are urged to be more mindful of train journeys by stopping acts of vandalism, such as throwing stones at passing trains, which can injure passengers and staff.

“KAI Divre I Sumatera Utara focuses not only on the safety of train journeys but also on the safety of the public’s lives. Therefore, KAI invites all residents to increase discipline and self-awareness by staying away from and ceasing all activities along the railway tracks,” Anwar concluded.